When I grow up I want to be like Nanci. Or ride like her, at least. Hopefully that will be sometime soon, since I'm pushing 30.

How long does it take you to do a century? And those 130 mile rides?? How do you do it, woman?!?

My first century took me about 7:30 hours -- 6am to 1:30pm -- including rest stops. After forcing down a sandwich for lunch at the halfway point, it took me a looong time to convince myself to even get back on the bike, since two of my good friends were there driving mechanical support vehicles.

At about mile 65, my head felt so hot that I thought I might start seeing Keebler elves materializing out of the asphalt. I abandoned the group and stopped at a gas station to find some ice cold water to pour over my head. By the rest stop at mile 71, my hands were so numb that I couldn't open the Gatorade and water bottles we were being given. And the only thing that got me to the finish was the promise of an air-conditioned car and relief for my sore butt.

That one was on May 20th. I'm still trying to convince myself to do another. Oh yeah, and I'm supposed to do the PR MS 300 Bike Tour in December. Ay, ay, ay.